Griffith University in Australia recently secured funding for a $21 million dollar research facility that will be the country’s first zero-emission and self-powered building driven by solar-hydrogen energy. Designed by Australia’s Cox Architects, the Sir Samuel Griffith Building will support the school’s environmental program while serving as a prime example of zero-energy construction for the rest of the country.

Funding for the design and construction of the new teaching and research facility was provided by the Federal Government’s Education Investment Fund (Sustainability Round). The 4,000 sq meter facility will have six floors and will be able to accommodate 200 students and hold 100 offices. Transparent solar panels will be integrated within the building’s facade to generate renewable energy, which coupled with the hydrogen system will make for the country’s largest solar-hydrogen energy demonstration project.

Griffith University began the country’s first environmental school and has more than 5600 environmental science graduates to date, and the addition of this new sustainable building will help grow the program. The new facility will bring together environmental scientists, engineers, psychologists, urban planners, health, and legal and business experts to develop cross-disciplinary sustainability solutions. The environmental center will be located in Nathan, Australia surrounded by Toohey Forest Conservation Park.